KAI Daop 7 Madiun Prohibits Farmers from Burning Stubble Near Railway Tracks

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) Daop 7 Madiun, East Java, is prohibiting residents, particularly farmers, from burning stubble or rubbish near railway tracks due to the potential for fires that could endanger train journeys. Manager of Public Relations for KAI Daop 7 Madiun, Tohari, stated that the ban was issued in response to the increased risk of fire from dry bushes, wild grass, and post-harvest residue along the tracks, coupled with strong winds that can rapidly spread flames into the railway right-of-way. “Safety is the lifeblood of all KAI operations. In accordance with procedure, a train driver who spots a potential fire hazard will immediately report the disturbance to the Train Operations Control Centre for follow-up by officers,” he said in a statement in Kediri on Tuesday. According to Tohari, the majority of railway lines in the Daop 7 Madiun region pass through agricultural areas, making stubble burning near the tracks a high-risk activity, particularly during the dry season accompanied by strong winds. KAI Daop 7 Madiun recorded a report of stubble burning that encroached upon the railway right-of-way at Kilometre 216+500 on the section between Walikukun and Kedungbanteng stations in the Daop 6 Yogyakarta area, after the fire spread due to wind gusts. The company stated that this incident demonstrates the high potential danger of fire to train journeys if burning activities are conducted near the tracks. “We request the cooperation, awareness, and concern of the entire community, especially farmers. Do not burn post-harvest stubble because strong winds during the dry season can cause the fire to spread to the railway line in a matter of seconds,” Tohari said. As a mitigation measure, KAI Daop 7 Madiun is conducting routine patrols on fire-prone lines, increasing outreach to farmer groups near the tracks, and placing light fire extinguishers at several security points. KAI also reminded the public that any activity endangering railway safety is subject to sanctions under Law Number 23 of 2007 concerning Railways.